UVU alums give advice to this year's graduating class as they face new challenges
Edited by Layton Shumway
The graduating class of 2020 at Utah Valley University has had to face some of the most difficult and historic challenges in the history of the institution. Many are facing tremendous uncertainty as they embark on careers and future endeavors in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. But no one knows better what Wolverines are made of than other Wolverines. Here’s what some of our alumni have to say to this year’s graduates.
Photo by
Gabriel Mayberry
As you move forward with your wonderful life, know that success cannot be placed in a box, on a checklist, within a timeline, or on a wall. Allow yourself the freedom to define what success means to you.
— Amanda Kimball '11
Music
As you move forward with your wonderful life, know that success cannot be placed in a box, on a checklist, within a timeline, or on a wall. Allow yourself the freedom to define what success means to you.
— Amanda Kimball '11
Music
While my career path after graduation has led me to a different industry than the field I studied at UVU, I absolutely love what I do and feel it is a perfect fit. At the same time, I consider my education at UVU to be invaluable. It equipped me with both technical and soft skills that directly contributed to obtaining my first entry-level position, and I continue to utilize these skills every day on the job.
– Heidi Card '14
Community Health Education
While my career path after graduation has led me to a different industry than the field I studied at UVU, I absolutely love what I do and feel it is a perfect fit. At the same time, I consider my education at UVU to be invaluable. It equipped me with both technical and soft skills that directly contributed to obtaining my first entry-level position, and I continue to utilize these skills every day on the job.
– Heidi Card '14
Community Health Education
You are more prepared than you think. UVU has provided you with the soft and hard skills that employers are seeking. Be proud of your education and put yourself out there. Instead of keeping our potential buried in despair, let us plant our roots to grow into a proud redwood tree — for that is what UVU alumni are meant to be.
– Andre Jones '18
Political Science
You are more prepared than you think. UVU has provided you with the soft and hard skills that employers are seeking. Be proud of your education and put yourself out there. Instead of keeping our potential buried in despair, let us plant our roots to grow into a proud redwood tree — for that is what UVU alumni are meant to be.
– Andre Jones '18
Political Science
Stay open. As you leave UVU for new adventures, stay open to the possibilities that you may not foresee. Having everything figured out after graduation is not sustainable because we all evolve. Our life evolves. Our family evolves. Our career evolves. So stay open to the evolution that will be your life.
– Robert Vera '11
Political Science
Stay open. As you leave UVU for new adventures, stay open to the possibilities that you may not foresee. Having everything figured out after graduation is not sustainable because we all evolve. Our life evolves. Our family evolves. Our career evolves. So stay open to the evolution that will be your life.
– Robert Vera '11
Political Science
Congratulations! You did it. You pushed through it. Take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go.
— Akwasi Frimpong '13
Marketing
Congratulations! You did it. You pushed through it. Take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go.
— Akwasi Frimpong '13
Marketing
My experience as a student and now as a faculty member, is that UVU students punch well above their weight. We succeed because we work harder, we think more creatively, we adapt, we are resilient and resolute, and we support each other.
— Ryan J. Vogel '04
Integrated Studies
My experience as a student and now as a faculty member, is that UVU students punch well above their weight. We succeed because we work harder, we think more creatively, we adapt, we are resilient and resolute, and we support each other.
— Ryan J. Vogel '04
Integrated Studies
I can’t imagine having to complete my final semester online while social distancing. But these graduates did that. So they have already persevered and succeeded, probably more so than I could have, in a difficult and unexpected situation. So they now have the knowledge that they are strong and can adapt and keep taking unexpected hits while continually overcoming them. Take pride in that!
– Jorgen Hansen '11
Philosophy
I can’t imagine having to complete my final semester online while social distancing. But these graduates did that. So they have already persevered and succeeded, probably more so than I could have, in a difficult and unexpected situation. So they now have the knowledge that they are strong and can adapt and keep taking unexpected hits while continually overcoming them. Take pride in that!
– Jorgen Hansen '11
Philosophy
Since graduating from UVU, the greatest lesson I have learned is that life rarely goes the way we anticipate, but it usually works out better that way. 2020 is the year of all years for uncertainty, but I encourage the new graduates to lean into that uncertainty. Although it is uncomfortable, in time you will look back and be grateful for all that you have learned and the opportunities you have been given because of this unique time. It may be hard to imagine this now, but what’s to come just might be better than what you had originally planned.
– Madeline Fowers Baum '16
Dance
Since graduating from UVU, the greatest lesson I have learned is that life rarely goes the way we anticipate, but it usually works out better that way. 2020 is the year of all years for uncertainty, but I encourage the new graduates to lean into that uncertainty. Although it is uncomfortable, in time you will look back and be grateful for all that you have learned and the opportunities you have been given because of this unique time. It may be hard to imagine this now, but what’s to come just might be better than what you had originally planned.
– Madeline Fowers Baum '16
Dance
The greatest lesson I have learned since graduating from UVU is to focus my time and energy on the things in my life that I can control. This new mindset has served me well during this unprecedented time. It took immense determination and grit to finish strong at our beloved Utah Valley University, and we are just getting started.
— Jadrie Davis '20
Education
The greatest lesson I have learned since graduating from UVU is to focus my time and energy on the things in my life that I can control. This new mindset has served me well during this unprecedented time. It took immense determination and grit to finish strong at our beloved Utah Valley University, and we are just getting started.
— Jadrie Davis '20
Education
